Hull FC boss John Cartwright has high hopes that Zak Hardaker will be fit for their Challenge Cup clash with Wigan Warriors next weekend. The Black and Whites have had a strong start to the season, with just one defeat coming over their opening four Super League games.
Unfortunately, Hardaker has played in just one of those games, with the centre appearing in the win over Catalans Dragons in the south of France. He caught the eye in that game, too, but a groin injury has seen him miss Hull’s last three games.
Cartwright’s eyes turn back to the Challenge Cup this week with Hull travelling to the Brick Community Stadium to take on the holders, and Hardaker might just be fit enough to be involved in what would be a huge boost for Hull. The head coach also confirmed that both Sam Eseh and Liam Watts are ineligible for the clash.
“I think Zak Hardaker will be pretty close,” Cartwright said after Hull’s draw with Leigh Leopards on Thursday. “The two big boys that we brought in won’t play because it’s the Challenge Cup, Sam can’t play because he’s come from Wigan and Liam played in a Cup game I believe for Castleford.
“Of the middles that were brought in I think only Liam Knight will be available.”
Knight made his debut for Hull FC on Thursday night, stepping off the bench just days after penning a deal until the end of the season. The game was Knight’s first since being released by Canterbury Bulldogs at the end of the 2024 NRL season but Cartwright was encouraged by what he saw from the Australian.
“We knew we wouldn’t get a lot of minutes out of him,” the head coach added. “He didn’t have a club at home so he’s done a lot of running but it’s the tackling and the defence and wrestle, he’s missed a lot of that.
“He’s naturally a pretty fit fella, I think he did well, he had some strong carries, he’s a good communicator and team man and whatever we saw tonight he’s going to get better.”
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